[ LETTER ]

Budget Crisis

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 12:22 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 12:22 a.m.

There is a new e-book about the U.S. budget crisis titled "Here Is The Deal" by David Leonhardt. The author says the Democrats have won the political fight to have a pretty good social safety net in place (food stamps, Social Security, etc.). The Republicans have basically won the political fight to keep taxes low compared to other industrial nations.

That produces the discrepancy. In the past, economic growth hid that fiscal imbalance, but now and in the future it will not. So, two major areas need reform and trimming: rising health care costs and the military industrial complex.

Our society needs to make some sacrifices now for the future good, such as doing some health care rationing and stop being the world's policeman.

But, as of right now, we have no viable politicians who can sell the idea of making necessary sacrifices. Will they appear in time?

<p>There is a new e-book about the U.S. budget crisis titled "Here Is The Deal" by David Leonhardt. The author says the Democrats have won the political fight to have a pretty good social safety net in place (food stamps, Social Security, etc.). The Republicans have basically won the political fight to keep taxes low compared to other industrial nations.</p><p>That produces the discrepancy. In the past, economic growth hid that fiscal imbalance, but now and in the future it will not. So, two major areas need reform and trimming: rising health care costs and the military industrial complex.</p><p>Our society needs to make some sacrifices now for the future good, such as doing some health care rationing and stop being the world's policeman.</p><p>But, as of right now, we have no viable politicians who can sell the idea of making necessary sacrifices. Will they appear in time?</p><p>E.G. DELPONIO</p><p>Lakeland</p>